Travel the world with a National Geographic expert

For the past 120 years the National Geographic Society has brought together explorers, travellers, archaeologists and botanists to share the knowledge they have gained from trips around the world. For the first time, that knowledge is going to be shared with 'ordinary' travellers in a new programme of tours run in conjunction with escorted tour specialist Titan Hi Tours. Each trip will be led by an expert from the society and will make the most of its contacts in museums and attractions around the world. The first brochure, Africa and the Near East, is now available, with holidays focusing on the wildlife and landscapes of countries such as Namibia, Jordan, Rwanda and South Africa. Some tours will take in sites not usually open to the public: for example on the Temples, Treasures and Tombs tour of Egypt, there will be a visit to the private Tomb of Queen Nefertari, and private access to the Great Pyramid and Sphinx enclosure. The 12-day trip costs £2,498 through Titan Hi Tours (0800 988 5823; titanhitours.co.uk).